possible fila?

[angela03185]

I'm looking for information, suggestions and support. I just got a puppy, my friend rescued him and couldn't keep him since she already has four dogs. Anyway I'm told that he is a fila but I'm not sure. He is approx 11 weeks old. I have read up on this breed of dog and although the internet is a great place for information I am aware that it does not always provide icorrect information. I understand that filas are extraordinary dogs and are extremely protective of THEIR families. I want to provide this puppy with the best life possible even if it's not in our family. I currently have two dogs a great pyr. And jack Russell, I have three kids ranging from 1 year to 10. I grew up around Akita, malamutes and Sheppards. I am willing to find a good trainer, I'm willing to do what it takes but, to be honest we live in a residential area and my hubby is active duty military so there is of us moving around a bit.. I have started crate training him so when we have company over he can be crated. I've attached pictures

 

[Marrowshard]

Doesn't look fila to me, but I'm a long way from being an expert on the subject. I would agree that if it IS a fila it might not be the best fit for you with all the moving around and close neighbors and such.

~Marrow

 

[chuckorlando]

Dont look houndy enough to me. Cute pup though. If there is some in there you'll need at least a 6ft, preferably privacy, and well built fence. Filas are fine with anyone they are raised with. 1 person or 50 people. But anyone who is not around everyday will become a threat to them. Once they come into temp all those strangers are no longer gonna be around the dog in most cases. Least not with out alot of work on your part the whole time their around

 

[DennasMom]

So... how much Fila makes it a Fila?
And... when would you know for sure if the Fila temperament is primary?
Would taking the puppy to a Fila breeder for an assessment / temperment test be a good idea before Angela makes any life-altering decisions?

 

[chuckorlando]

Any amount of fila could through the temp in there. But temp may not show for months. But it just dont look fila to me. Ears are short where filas have houndy ears. The muzzle is short and flat. Where filas have rounded longer houndy muzzles with humps alot. Filas look like hound mixes as pups to me. But thats not to say it aint a fila. Or part.

---------- Post added at 06:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:36 PM ----------

see what I mean http://www.google.com/imgres?q=fila...&tbnw=184&ndsp=28&ved=1t:429,r:97,s:100,i:295

 

[chuckorlando]

see what I mean http://www.google.com/imgres?q=fila...&tbnw=184&ndsp=28&ved=1t:429,r:97,s:100,i:295

---------- Post added at 06:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:39 PM ----------

Filas are great dogs. Awesome family dogs. But read about there temp and know one thing for certain....... That description is what it is. They are what they are. You will not make a fila be anything it aint meant to be. The dog whisperer would get his ass handed to him by this breed. There aint any special training trick to do to make a fila anything but what they are intended to be

 

[chuckorlando]

Filas are great dogs. Awesome family dogs. But read about there temp and know one thing for certain....... That description is what it is. They are what they are. You will not make a fila be anything it aint meant to be. The dog whisperer would get his ass handed to him by this breed. There aint any special training trick to do to make a fila anything but what they are intended to be

 

[angela03185]

Well I have contacted a breeder and sent her his pictures, she's been dealing with Filas for several years and even shows them. She agrees that he does not look fila but I'm going to be speaking with her in the morning. First and foremost I don't want this pup to have a bad life, Iwant to do everything I can to ensure he is happy and healthy. I have also contacted a trainer who knows about the breed and has worked with several. Also after doing some major digging around town, I think I have found where this little guy came from. I've called the number to the people who are advertising free Brazilian mastiff puppies and after speaking with them it soundspretty hopeful that he is from one of the two litters they had/still have. They sent me pictures of the moms and he is spit on for one of there moms. His dates match up as will, and they have confirmed that yes, they have had puppies given to people in my area. However they are not willing to take him back. And maintain that their dogs are not aggressive in anyway. They said they are seven years old now and have never shown more than a growl to . This being said, I asked for pictures of the mom, and dad, I have a picture of the mom,. I sent her picture of to the breeder I contacted, according to her the mom does look like a fila, maybe just poor quality (pet quality she called it) but again i'm going to speak with her more.

In all honesty I don't know how someone can just give away puppies let alone a breed that has such.a temperament to any Willy nilly person and claim that this is what they are
.

 

[chuckorlando]

Can you post a pic of moms

 

[angela03185]

I'm honestly at a loss with this guys. and my heart and head are both torn on this.

---------- Post added at 05:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:32 AM ----------

Yes give me a second to upload

 

[angela03185]

Yes give me a second to upload

 

[angela03185]

this is the mom thru are saying he would be from, since she had brindle pups. this is the other mom.

 

[raechiemay]

Both of those look like EMs to me.

 

[angela03185]

Raechiemy, I thought so too. it's hard for me to say that the puppy we have is EM when they are saying Fila. Can I hhave DNA testing done on him, would this really get me anywhere?

 

[chuckorlando]

If those are the parents I'd say you have nothing to worry about. Of course a side shot would be better. But they dont look like filas. And the folks breeding could be calling them filas to sale them or make em sound exotic. Or maybe they bought these "fila" pups unknowingly and breed them to what they think a fila is. But the firs red flag is to say they have two filas and 2 litters and not one dog has more than growled at others. Kona has seen my mom 100 times and she tries to bite her if she can. And Kona aint a hard fila

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Both of those look like EMs to me.

I was thinking the same.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Unfortunetly none of the major DNA testing companies appear to be able to recognize Fila's. EMs yes, Fila's no, so I don't know how usefull doing one would be.

My thoughts. The mom's shown do look like EMs, but its still possible that he's a Fila cross. In a cross it can be hard to predict how much of the individual temperments are going to come through, BUT if the moms are that even tempered......

Continue with crate training. Work hard with the local trainer and with socialization. Be prepared to crate him when guests come over (possibly in a bedroom so he's not exposed to guests at all). BUT I think there's a definate possibility that he'll have a temperment that'll make it possible for you to keep him. Which isn't to say it won't be hard work, BUT....

 

[angela03185]

My hope is, he is actually a EM. We are going to keep him, my husband loves him. We start the training class in a week. As he matures would you say that by the time he is a year or so IF he happens to have fila in him do you think his temperament would be apparent? If he is loving to everyone by the time he is two do you think I may not have to be as cautious?


Does anyone have some good tips for crate training, cause ago this little guy does is cry. Lol

 

[ruthcatrin]

With TMs the highly protective nature generally shows up between 9 months and a year.

And patience! If you give in to his crying you just re-inforce it. You have to wait it out. Which is hard.....I feed my two in their crates and regularly require them to be in their crates to recieve treats and what not. It helps re-inforce the concept that the crate is a good place.

 

[angelbears]

Temperament should come in around 1 year. With everything it could be much earlier or even later. Most Filas but not all will show signs of their temp as a younger pup. Is he aloof? Does he shy away from people or certain people? Does he go on alert? Will he let people pet him but you can tell he doesn't like it? Does he follow you from room to room? If so I would definitely treat him as if he is a Fila.

Most people on this forum know that I usually don't suggest many people own Filas and usually try to discourage them. However, it sounds like you would be a wonderful and responsible owner. Filas can live in the city, in subdivisions ect. as long as people understand what they have.

Personally, I never let mine outside by themselves. Even though my back yard is fenced it is only a chain length fence, about 5 ft. high, so they are not allowed out unless they are on leash. Unless you have a super secure fence, at least 6 ft. high I would never let him out by himself.

Of course if your kids have friends over you have to crate your dog and it is something that you can't forget to do. Of course you don't walk your fila through Petco or go to dog parks.

You can't have the attitude that you can change a Fila, that is just a disaster waiting to happen. If you acknowledge what you have, take appropriate steps to keep him and society safe(crating when company is over, not letting him out to run loose) then they are the most loyal and wonderful dogs you will ever have.

I would start out treating him as if he is a Fila, if later you truly believe that he is not a Fila then you can loosen the rules a bit but I wouldn't chance it until I was sure.

BTW, sure is a cute pup!

---------- Post added at 02:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:25 PM ----------

Sorry one other thing. Always list him as a mutt. At the vet, lease apps, every and anything that ask, he is just a mutt.